Research undertaken by PhD candidate, Theopoline Itenge- Mweza, of the Agriculture and Life Sciences Division at Lincoln University has resulted in the identification of three gene markers that could be exploited in a gene-assisted selection programme that, ultimately, would result in the production of higher quality merino wool.
Wool is used widely throughout the world for clothing, bedding, carpets and other interior textiles. The quality of these products depends on the quality of the wool grown on farm.
At present farmers use selective breeding, based on the characteristics of the wool, to improve its quality.
“Using methods such as this can be a hit and miss process as there are a large number of genetic factors involved,” said Theo.
By developing a test that uses gene markers associated with wool quality traits such as fibre diameter, mean staple strength and bright white colour, breeders could, potentially, increase the accuracy of their selection procedures.
“Because we already knew that the keratin intermediate-filament (IF) proteins and keratin associated proteins (KAPs) are the major proteins making up the wool fibre, the genes coding for these wool proteins are logical candidate genes that might have an impact on wool quality and, therefore, useful genetic-markers for selective breeding,” said Theo.
Theo studied the inheritance of potential genetic markers using a single large half-sib Merino family (131 progeny) and assessed these markers’ association with wool quality traits.
Her work involved the use of molecular biology techniques to identify variation in the genes and relating the results to the known characteristics of the wool.
“I’m really pleased that my work has given results that have the potential to benefit such an important industry in New Zealand and worldwide,” said Theo.
Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry, Dr Jon Hickford, supervised Theo’s work which was jointly funded by the New Zealand Wool Testing Authority (NZWTA), JBT Consulting Ltd (a private company) and Lincoln University.
Theo’s research results are the basis of a larger project currently being investigated by the above organisations.
Image available on request.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Janette Busch, Technical Writer
Lincoln University, Canterbury
Tel: 64 3 325 2811 ext 8114
Email: Janette Busch